Used car guide

2012 Kia Ceed: common problems and what to check

What gets flagged at MOT on 2012 Kia Ceeds, from 11,026 tests in 2025, plus known faults and what to look at before you buy one.

11,026MOT tests in 2025
55%pass first time (all 2012 cars: 63%)
7,800typical miles a year
2.6×the usual rate for track rod ends

What stands out

Parts flagged at MOT more often on 2012 Kia Ceeds than on all cars registered in 2012.

  • Track rod ends2.6× usual
    Kia Ceed
    12.5% All 2012 cars
    4.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 7.3%, against 2.4% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £50–£150 (one end, plus about £30–£50 if it needs a wheel alignment) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Listen for knocks when turning, and check the steering feels even.

  • Ball joint dust cover2.5× usual
    Kia Ceed
    7.2% All 2012 cars
    2.9%

    Failed outright at MOT: 3.6%, against 1.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

  • Suspension arm2.5× usual
    Kia Ceed
    6.4% All 2012 cars
    2.6%

    Failed outright at MOT: 0.4%, against 0.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £120–£180 (one arm) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for clunks over bumps and feel for the steering wandering. Worn arm bushes show as cracked rubber near the wheels.

  • Anti-roll bar link joints2.1× usual
    Kia Ceed
    6.6% All 2012 cars
    3.2%

    Failed outright at MOT: 2.5%, against 1.2% of all 2012 cars. The rest were advisories or minor defects.

    Rough price £60–£150 (one joint) ClickMechanic

    At the viewing: Listen for knocking over bumps and check the rubber boots behind the wheels aren't split.

Better than most

Rigid brake pipes: 0.5% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars. Exhaust system: 1.6% here, against 5.5% of all 2012 cars.

By area

The share of 2012 Kia Ceed MOT tests where testers flagged each area, as a fail or an advisory. Rough prices are typical independent-garage costs.

  • Suspension
    52% of testsRough price £120–£400

    At the viewing: Listen for knocks over speed bumps, and look behind each front wheel for a snapped coil spring.

  • Tyres
    36% of testsRough price £70–£150

    At the viewing: Check the tread on all four tyres, including the inside edges, and look for cracks or bulges.

  • Brakes
    34% of testsRough price £150–£350

    At the viewing: Look for a lip on the disc edges and feel for judder or pulling when braking firmly from about 40mph.

  • Lights and electrics
    33% of testsRough price £10–£80

    At the viewing: Ask a friend to check every light, including brake lights and indicators, while you operate them.

  • Wipers, windscreen and mirrors
    11% of testsRough price £15–£250

    At the viewing: Check for chips in the driver's view, and test the wipers and washers.

  • Steering
    8% of testsRough price £100–£450

    At the viewing: On a straight road the steering wheel should sit straight. Feel for play or knocking when turning.

Looking at a Kia Ceed?

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Other years

YearMOT testsMost flagged
20226,674Tyres 23%
20215,211Tyres 29%
20204,288Tyres 31%
20199,967Tyres 33%
20189,180Tyres 31%
20178,545Tyres 32%
20169,556Tyres 31%
201511,108Tyres 31%
201410,855Suspension 37%
201310,611Suspension 45%
20116,570Suspension 54%
20107,035Suspension 56%
20096,077Suspension 58%
20083,700Suspension 62%
20071,997Suspension 59%

Where this comes from: the DVSA's anonymised results for every MOT test in Great Britain in 2025, counting tests of 2012 Kia Ceeds registered in 2012. "Flagged" includes advisories, so it isn't the same as a fail rate. How we score